The Thessaloniki Cadet European Cup 2024 marked a conclusion to this yr’s EJU cadet calendar. Dominating the competitors, Kazakhstan secured the highest spot with two gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. Azerbaijan adopted in second place, boasting two gold, one silver and 5 bronze medals.
For a lot of athletes, this occasion signified their closing chapter within the cadet class, and none extra so than Giorgi GIVISHVILI. The reigning world champion from Lima transitioned from the -66kg class to -73kg. Givishvili demonstrated outstanding adaptability, clinching the gold medal in his new weight class. This success cements his readiness for the junior class subsequent yr, the place he goals to realize an bold purpose;
I needed to check myself on this event, competing within the new class wherein I’ll compete from 2025. I’m very glad that this transformation got here with the gold medal. My huge purpose for 2025 is to win the U21 World Championship, as I did this yr in Peru. I’ve many goals about judo that I need to understand. And yearly, I need to evolve and change into higher.
For Greece, the spotlight of the event was Maria Eleni PAPAIOANNOU, who claimed the nation’s solely medal by profitable bronze within the -70kg class. In her first yr as a cadet, she overcame prior setbacks at European Cups to ship a robust efficiency in entrance of a house crowd.
I used to be very careworn. I need to thank my coaches very a lot. They helped me get right here and by no means stopped believing in me; my mother and father too. As we speak, I’m so comfortable, phrases can not describe it. One mistake price me a spot within the closing, however I’m decided to be taught from my errors and attain better heights.
Wanting forward, the younger athlete has her sights set on competing in main worldwide occasions, together with the 2025 season, with aspirations of ultimately contending for an Olympic medal.
Cypriot judoka Marina AZINOU additionally stood out, incomes a bronze medal in Thessaloniki after securing two golds on the European Judo Championships of the Small States earlier this month.
I’m proud to have gained a medal in the present day. I need to give an enormous thanks to my coach and father. The most effective is but to return. In 2025, I enter the juniors, the place I would like my participation within the tournaments to be accompanied by success.
The occasion additionally honored a number of distinguished Greek judo figures throughout its opening ceremony. These included Paris 2024 Olympic bonze medallist, Theodoros TSELIDIS, nationwide coach, Nikolaos ILIADIS, and Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist, Theodora PASCHALIDOU. Following the event, the Thessaloniki EJU Cadet Coaching Camp 2024 will happen 25-28 November.
Textual content: Giannis Hatzidopavlakis / Photographs: Alex Katsoulis
Writer: Szandra Szogedi
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